"Out & About" Photo Blog: 2nd Marsh -- August 5th, 2012

Today was a slight break from the blast-furnace we've been been living in, so I went down to the marsh. There was a healthy breeze most of the time so it was tolerable, even quite wonderful at times.

Overall the marsh looks beat-up from the heat we've had, and I suppose from the fact that it's early August.

One of the downed trees near the Beaver Pond has collapsed further. Visitors have made a path of sorts around it.

The lush growth of cattails at the Beaver Pond crowds the boardwalk.

Arrowhead Waterplant at the Beaver Pond.

Purple Loosestrife is an invasive... but a pretty one.

Not sure what this is but the leaf-miners seem to like it.

A tattered, end-of-season Mayapple, but the fruit looks healthy.

Right on schedule-- August is the month that fungi becomes plentiful in the marsh.

Wild Cucumber with curlicues.

Himalayan Balsam is dominant on the berm now. It's one of the prettier wildflowers this time of year.

From the Net ... Himalayan Balsam

Member of the Impatiens family (as is Jewelweed/Touch-Me-Not)
Also known as Poor Man's Orchid, "Kiss-Me-On-The-Mountain", Policeman's Helmet (British), Gnome's Hatstand, Jumping Jack, Pink Peril (in conservation circles), Ornamental Jewelweed, Indian Balsam, "Bee-Bums" (from the fact that that's what you see when a bee is in the blossom).

Originally from the Himalayas
Flowers June to October
Seed pods explode when disturbed, scattering up to 800 seeds up to 7 metres (23 ft). Impatiens, meaning "impatient", refers to this method of dispersal.

I'm guessing these are Purple-flowering Raspberries.

Joe Pye-Weed... another name I like!

It's always a joy to see a Monarch, and to imagine that, if all goes well, in a month or two he might be in Mexico. Not a good shot, but the best I could get today.

Field Bindweed... still quite a bit of it in the marsh.

... and a few Bull Thistles-- talk about prickly.

The bay was pretty quiet. There are 1000s of Water Lilies in the marsh this year, especially in the channel along the berm and in the 'main' part.

Purple Loosestrife... and bee.

Ostrich Fern

The regrowth after the fire is green & lush.

Cormorants mainly...

High-Bush Cranberries

Not sure about these... a "flattish" bunch.

Here's an eye test for you. I didn't notice when I took the shot, but when I had it on the computer screen I noticed at least 5 Great Blue Herons. I've made this one larger than the others to make it a bit easier. It's a telephoto shot and with the haze, and not using a tripod, it's not as clear as it could be.

The water here is full of Water Lilies too.